"Clint Tarver is a Lansing institution, a hardworking
businessman and whether you are a Republican or Democrat, one of the kindest,
most selfless individuals you will ever meet," said Greg McNeilly, president of
the Michigan Freedom Fund. "The union thugs who destroyed Clint's hot dog
business while shouting racial slurs must be held accountable."

The AFP, a conservative group supporting the
controversial Right to Work legislation signed into law Tuesday, claims
pro-union protesters tore the tent down, although left-leaning organizations
are circulating video testimony of a man who claims to have witness AFP members
staging the attack.

The AFP planned a separate announcement Thursday, saying
in a media release it planned to denounce the actions of those who tore down
the tent.

"This goes beyond politics and even the issue of
right-to-work," said Scott Hagerstrom, state director of Americans for
Prosperity-Michigan. "It wasn't our tent; it was our first amendment rights
that were trampled by a mob of angry union protesters. We are calling on union
leaders, (Lansing) Mayor Virg Bernero, and others to condemn this sort of violence and
intimidation."

In the aftermath of the incident, a staffer at the state House
of Representatives started a fundraising
effort to replace Tarver's equipment; initially, many believed Tarver's cart
was trampled, though that turned out not to be true.

Tarver's wife said the equipment losses were around $500,
leaving some to ask how the excess funds would be spent.

Attempts to reach the organizer have been unsuccessful.

And while supporters of Lansing's "hot dog guy" span the
often-divided local political spectrum, some on
the left are worried their donations could end up supporting the pro-Right to
Work Americans for Prosperity organization.